Improvement in corn-planters



s. ELLIOTT.

' Seed-Planter.

. Patented Mar; 15, 1859.

WVIA/TOR.

N. PEIERS. PHOTD-L THQGRA UNITED STATES v PATENT OFFICE.

STEPHEN ELLIOTT, OF \VASHINGTON, INDIANA.

IMPROVEMENT IN CORN-PLA NTERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 23,235, dated March 15, 1859.

To all whom "it may concern:

Be it known that 1, STEPHEN ELLro'rr, of \Vashington,in the county of Wayne and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Corn-Planters; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The nature of my invention consists in the manner in which I combine and arrange the wheel F, the plow or coverer H, the rod E, the indicator G, the block B, rod I), the spiral spring (I, and box A, all of which will be seen by reference to the accompanying drawings.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation by reference to the annexed drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the cornplanter. Fig. 2 is a box in which a block, B, slides on a rod, 1), around which is coiled the spiral spring 0. Fig. 3 represents a wheel on an axle, with a pin projecting from each side. Fig. 4 represents a block with a round hole through the center, into Whiclrthe rod I) is inserted. This block also presentsa hole in the side, in which ajournal turns. Fig. 5 is a rod with one end turned up and with a piece proiecting downward at the proper distance from the end. Fig. (l is a plow or leveler for removing clods and leveling the row. Fig. 7 is an indicator, which marks where a hill is planted.

one secured on each side of the bottom of the frame N, and also represented in Fig. 2 at A.

In Fig. 1 letters B 15 represent two blocks fitting loosely in the boxes A A, as seen at B in Fig. 2, and also shown at B in Fig. 4.

In Fig. 1 letters 0 U represent two spiral springs coiled around the rods D I) on the tops of the blocks B B and inside of the boxes A A, pressing upward against the bottom of the frame N and downward against the top of the block B. One of said spiral springs may be seen at U in Fig. 2.

In Fig. 1 letters D I) show the top ends of two rods which extenddownthrough theframe, through the spiral springs, and through block B, and secured in the bottoms of the boxes A by those rods 1) I), and the blocks B B also slide freely up and down on said rods D D.

In Fig. 1 letter F represents a rod or bar of iron, as may be seen at Fig. 5. with one end turned up and apiece projecting downward at a suitable distance from the frontend, the back end being made use of for the purpose of removing the corn from the box. 7

In Fig. 1 the letter F represents a wheel on an axle, as may be seen at Fig.3, thejournals of said axle being inserted in the blocks B B, provision for which is repiesentedat Q, in Fig. 4, both blocks in Fig. 1 being made like the block in Fig. 4. Thejournals ot' the axle turn freely in the blocks B B.

In Fig. l G is an indicator standing lengthwise, and attached to the inside of the frame by means of a bolt or pin driven into the wood, upon which the indicator vibrates. Thisindicator should be placed on the right-hand side of the frame. It may be seen represented at G in Fig. 7.

In Fig. 1 H represents an instrument for leveling the row of corn, clearing itof lumps, &c., which I call a leveling-plow. This plow is inserted in the back part of the frame N, and passes over the row after the corn is dropped and covered, removing clods that might obstruct the growing of the young sprouts of corn. This leveling-plow is made'by riveting a shank in the middle of a piece of sheet-iron and bending the ends back to any desired angle. The clods will roll hackbetterit' the lower edge is turned out a little. The shape of this instrument is immaterial, as various shapes will answer the purpose. It may be seen at 11 in Fig. o.

In Fig. 1 .I I represent two plows for covering the corn. They may be made similar to two mold-boards ot' the common plow placed on shanks, so that they will throw the dirt to the center of the planter, or on the row, so as to cover the corn.

In Fig. 1 J is a box for conveying the corn.

In Fig. 1 K is a pin inserted in the righthand side of wheel F for throwing up one end of the indicator and causing the other end to press upon the ground. Said pin may also be seen at K in Fig. 3.

In Fig. 1 L is apin inserted in the left-hand side of the wheel, as also seen in Fig. 3 at L. This pin is intended to strike against the pro- Jecting piece M on rod E and move the rod E forward, displacing corn from the box J, and when pin L has passed-M the rod is thrown back by means of a spiral spring. Any of the known devices may be used for taking the corn from the box. The rod E passes into the box J and is attached to a dropper.

In Fig. l M represents the projecting piece, as also seen at M in Fig. 5.. 4

In Fig. 1 0 represents a plow for opening the furrow. This should be made similar to the common shovel-plow, which will throw the dirt each way. The shape is not important. This plow should be secured to the frame" in front of the wheel.

in Fig. 3 P shows the journal on one end of the axle, the other end being provided with a similar journal. They are each inserted into a hole, Q, as is shown at Q in block B, Fig. 4.

In Fig. 4 Q shows a hole in block B, in which is inserted thejournal P. T

in Fig. 1 letter R is a spring which throws up the indicator.

In Fig. 1 S is a spiral spring for forcing back the rod E after the pin L has passed the projecting piece M.

In Fig. l T is a spout through which the corn passes to the ground.

Operation: As the machine is drawn forward the plow 0 opens a furrow, the wheel F follows the plow in the furrow, and as the wheel revolves the rod E is pushed forward by means of the pin L coming in contact with the projecting piece M. Corn is thereby drawn from the box J and falls through the tube T to the ground. When the rod E is released from the pin L the rod E is thrown back by the spiral spring S, the upward projection of the rod E catching against a stapledriven into the frame to prevent its moving too far back. The twoplows passing behind the droppercover the corn by throwing the dirt on the hill or row. The leveling plow then removes the clods from the rows, and then the pin K, coming in contact with the front end of indicator G, causesittoascend,while the back end makes a print upon the hill, showing where the corn is planted. The indicator is then thrown up by the spring 1t. When the plows run over stones and other hard substances which raise the corn-planter the wheel F is kept to the ground by the pressure of the spiral springs O G, causing the wheel to constantly revolve in order to plant the corn at equal distances apart, as without the springs the wheel would rise and cease to revolve while passing over obstructions, as above.

The frame may be made of two-inch plank, about fourteen or sixteen inches wide, or wider,if desired,and from four to six feet long.

The boxes A A should be secured to the under side of the frame on each side far enough back to let the wheel turn freely.

The front plow, 0, should be provided with a shank, which should be secured through the frame in front of the wheel F. The wheel should be on an axle long enough to reach across the machine and admit the journals into the holes in the blocksB B. The boxJ should be placed immediately behind the wheel, and may be provided with anyot' the most convenient and well-known devices for dropping corn.

The plows I I should have their shanks secured through, the frame as near the box as 1 framed across, into which these plows may beplaced for the purpose ofsetting them closer. The leveling-plow should have its. shank inserted through the middle of the back crosspiece of the frame.

The indicator may be made of iron a qua-r- -ter of an inch thick and one inch wide, with a hole pierced through it near the middle for the purpose of securing it to the frame. One end is left straight and the other is bent toward the ground, and should have a footriveted on its lower end.

The block B should have the hole which the rod passes through bored through it. The holes in which the journals turn should only be drilled or bored to meet the other hole, so that the rod will pass the journal.

The wheel may be turned of two or three inch plank, and may be from sixteen to eighteen inches in diameter and from two to four inches thick. The pins Land K may be secured in the wheel by means of a nut on the opposite side of the Wheel.

The box A may be out out of a solid piece of wood and the block B fitted in it, and the spiral spring, being prepared, may be slipped in above the block B and the rod D passed through a hole in the frame N, and through the spiral spring and block B into the bottom of box A, where it may be secured, serving the double purpose of holding the box A to its place while block B slides treely upon it.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is'- The arrangement of the wheel F and pins L and K, the spiral springs G G, the boxes A A, blocks B B, the rod E, indicator G, and leveling-plow H, the whole being arranged, constructed, and operated as above described, and for the purpose set forth.

' STEPHEN ELLIOTT.

Witnesses:

JOHN FINLEY, Tnos. A. DUGDALE. 

